Morning Buzz: Monday 8.5.13

Baseball is expected to suspend all-time great Alex Rodriguez today through the 2014 season for repeat use of performance-enhancing drugs, but he is also expected to play for the Yankees for the first time this season.

Politics and government

Former mayor Richard Riordan and Daily News columnist Tim Rutten co-signed an op-piece in the New York Times calling on President Obama and Congress to "avert the worst fiscal collapse in urban American history" with a reform plan for public employee pensions. NYT

The federal investigation into allegations that Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies abused inmates is expected to conclude within the next five months, according to U.S. Atty. Andre Birotte Jr., who is overseeing the probe. LAT

Another woman has come forward with accusations that San Diego Mayor Bob Filner made unwanted advances -- this time at a church fundraiser in La Jolla to heighten awareness about refugees from Africa. U-T San Diego

A BART strike in San Francisco was called off for a week after Gov. Jerry Brown told the unions to go back to work. SF Chronicle

Los Angeles investment executive and key Democrat John Emerson was confirmed as President Obama's ambassador to Germany. He raised money for Obama, but he also was a deputy in the Clinton White House (as well as a former member of the City Attorney's office in LA.)

Labor groups are targeting Westfield malls in a new campaign to highlight business property tax breaks tied to Proposition 13. LAT

Monterey Park's sign ordinance to require some English recalls the '80s controversies over Chinese in the San Gabriel Valley. LAT

Dear Everybody. Happy Weekend!! Some of you may have seen a post earlier from my profile that actor 成龍 Jackie Chan has died. This is an internet hoax/joke that has been going around for months. Its not true. Mr. Chan is alive and well and I look forward to his next movie. My Facebook account was hacked. Not a biggie. The cure for a hacked account is to simply change your password. Hope you all have a great rest of the weekend and ‪#‎LongLiveJackieChan

"42" filmed extensively in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee after the filmmakers collected millions in subsidies from those states' taxpayers. Then the producers of this all-American story co-financed by American taxpayers recorded its soundtrack in London. LAT/Hiltzik

Add to last week's working list of mainstream US journalists now at Al Jazeera America: Michael Eaves, formerly the host of "Clippers Live" and "Angels Live" for Fox Sports West and sideline reporter on Lakers and Dodgers broadcasts.

Callie Schweitzer, a USC Annenberg graduate who has been director of marketing and communications for Vox Media, and formerly deputy publisher of Talking Points Memo, becomes the director of digital innovation at Time. Fishbowl NY

Slated is a free, members-only service that allows Hollywood directors, producers, actors, sales agents and investors to communicate about possible projects. "Members — there are 4,000 — describe their moviemaking or investing backgrounds, specify what types of movies they are interested in and indicate how much they are willing to invest. Filmmakers can also put up trailers for movies they want to finance, and everyone can send messages to one another privately." NYT

Author Amy Wilentz ponders whether to clean out some books and take them to downtown's Last Bookstore. It's a tough call. NYT Sunday Book Review

The Justice League of Photographers versus Hollywood Boulevard. BeFrank

Courts and cops

The Los Angeles Times editorial board urged Sheriff Lee Baca not to run for reelection: "What possible argument is there for a fifth term for Baca?" LAT editorial

Federal law enforcement is suspected behind the placement of malware on the Tor anonymity network. Wired

More news, notes and observations

Stevie Wonder made a surprise appearance and Ozomatli headlined a Grand Performances concert in Grand Park keyed to the Josh Kun book of Los Angeles Public Library sheet music, "Songs in the Key of L.A." LAT, LAist

Stevie Wright, lead singer of the 1960s band the Easybeats, is in failing health at home in Australia. Noise11.com

The Dodgers swept the Cubs in Chicago and now have won 14 straight road games, but their top hitter, Hanley Ramirez, injured his shoulder and will have an MRI today to determine the extent of the injury. MLB.com